A studio monitor is one of the most important pieces of equipment that a DJ needs. It can make all the difference between producing a top quality mix that can lift up your reputation, and a low-quality one that can leave your fanbase disappointed. As such, a studio monitor can easily determine the trajectory of your career. With such high stakes, how do you find yourself a good studio monitor? To select a good one, here are 3 features to look for when buying studio monitors.
1. Wattage
While high watts don’t necessarily mean that a speaker will be exponentially louder, it does matter. A high wattage studio monitor may be more ideal, when you target a large audience. However, if you are buying it for only producing mixes, then a low wattage studio monitor would work just fine. The key is to strike a balance between the wattage and other aspects of the speaker, such as weight. For instance, if you travel a lot and perform at large events, we would recommend studio monitor speakers that have a high wattage, and are also lightweight. This ensures that they give you the best sound quality, and are also easy to move around. Such a speaker can make all the difference in your career as a DJ.
2. Size
When choosing studio monitors, the prevailing notion is that, the bigger the better. This may be true, since a bigger one will most likely have a higher bass level. However, the difference is sometimes negligible. For instance, the bass-level difference between a 5-inch speaker and an 8-inch one is not that significant. In essence, it is best to go for one whose size matches the size of your studio. Besides, an average-sized studio monitor may be easier to move around, which is perfect for DJs that are ever on the move from one gig to the next. For such a person, flexibility in movement is everything.
3. The receiver
When it comes to powering studio monitors, the jury is still out, on which ones are the best. For some DJs, bi-amped speakers are better because they yield much better sound. Others, believe that, the best idea would be to go for studio monitors that have a bigger amplifier. All this depends on your needs as a DJ. If you travel a lot, and have to set up the studio equipment by yourself, then it would be best to go for an active studio monitor that has a single power receiver. It’s more convenient to set up. However, if you are looking for studio monitors for a production studio, then a passive bi-amped one would give you great results. That’s because, the distributed power gives an unmatched sound quality. Besides, such a speaker gives you a higher level of control, which is essential when it comes to creating mixes worth listening to.
For best results, find a compromise between all the above features, depending on your core objectives. There is no one size fits all, when shopping for speakers.
To read more on topics like this, check out the technology category.